LIKE A PRAYER - 1989
Like A Prayer - The first single off of this album and it was an all around the world smash! Hitting
Express Yourself - The second single off of this album (and 3rd of her career to peak at #2, thanks to "Toy Soldiers" by Martika), is considered to be one of her greatest songs and videos by many. However, the version on this album is not the one which everyone is so fond of (The Immaculate Collection version is). A poorer version of this song can be found on the Justify My Love Maxi-Single. It did not hit #1 in any country. This was the opening song for her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. The video is one of the all time best videos ever made by an artist. Inspired by the old movie Metropolis. There are 3 different versions of this video, but unless you're a fanatic you can't really tell the difference.
Love Song -A duet between Madonna & Prince. I love how they start off the song asking "Are you wasting my time?". I always reply "yes" and change the track. This song can be summed up in one word: Horrible! (One of her worst songs ever!)
Till Death Do Us Part - B-side to Dear Jessie. If you've never heard this song, think of the beat that you hear in Tetris or Dr. Mario for nintendo when your pile nears the top of the screen. Anyway, the song is about Madonna and Sean's failed marriage I believe, and the lyrics to this song are amazing. Very well written. A++
Promise To Try - A very upsetting song, her voice grabs you and makes you feel as though you lost someone close to you. You may have a little better understanding of her personal feelings concerning the death of her mother after listening to this song. Heart-grabbing! A great visual to this song can be seen in the documentary film Truth or Dare where she visits her mother's grave.
Cherish - The 3rd single off this album (4th of her to career to peak at #2, thank Janet Jackson's 'Miss You Much' for this one), This song is an out of the blue turning point in the album's mood. All of a sudden we're cheery and happy. I think this song was really recorded in 1986 because it sounds more 'True Blue' Albumish. The video contained Madonna on a beach accompanied by mermen and a kid, to this day I still have no clue if it is male or female. Anyway, the single contained a non-album track titled Supernatural, which is an outstanding song which perfectly fits the mood of this album b/c of it's spooky, haunting, and mystifying sound. A shame that this track was dropped from the album, yet Love Song stayed.
Dear Jessie - A track released abroad. I believe Jessie is the co-writer's (Patrick Leonard's) daughter. The song is a lullaby type with a video containing a little girl sitting in her bed at night when, all of a sudden, cartoon characters come out, march, and dance all around her room. The single cover is a fan favorite.
Oh Father - More like "OH NO!!" This was the 4th single from this album, and b/c of this single, her longest string of top ten hits came to an end (which started w/ Borderline in 1984). This one peaked at #20 (ouch!) for 2 weeks. A fantastic song but I would be a little hesitant in releasing it as a single. The video was magnificent and fit ths song perfectly. Great storyline!
Keep It Together - The 5th and final single from this album made it to #8 on the charts. There was no video for this song. However the positive message conveyed in this song about the importanace of family unity is a very great lesson to all. This song was the final song of her Blonde Ambition Tour in 1990.
(Pray for) Spanish Eyes - B-Side to Oh Father. I don't know whether to call this song "Pray for Spanish Eyes" or "Spanish Eyes". It says one thing on the CD, another on the case, another in the book, another on the Oh Father single... I don't know. The song is beautiful and the translation of the Spanish lyrics sung by the man is "tears of sadness won't let me forget you".. outrageous!... reminds me of a little bit of La Isla Bonita, probably the percussion.
Act Of Contrition - B-Side to Like A Prayer. I wouldn't call this a song, not only b/c of it being approx. 2mins long, but it's 'music' is the back looping of the music in Like A Prayer. Her final words (which she screams in a devilish voice) are "WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT IN THE COMPUTER!!!??!". I love that way of ending the album! :)